Regional Economic Zone Integration and Value Chain Expert

Achieving SDGs by 2030 requires massive financial resources, however, African countries have experienced the sharpest decline of foreign direct investment in the last 15 years (declined by 16% to USD 40 billion). As African countries increasingly adopt the special economic zones model as their initial focused attempts to accelerate industrialization and attract foreign direct investment (FDI) and innovation, the development of regional integrated economic zones servicing blue economy could be studied in transboundary areas.

The study is expected to help identify the most appropriate model for Africa, and the drivers that could trigger blue growth opportunities for member states in these zones, which comprises the below elements:

• Challenges assessment Conduct a comprehensive analysis of existing challenges in regional economic integration in Eastern Africa, focusing on trade policies, labor movement, infrastructure reliability, information gaps, and political considerations. Identify specific areas for policy and institutional improvement, attracting investments and facilitating blue economy development.

• Study of Models Assess the different models of transboundary zones, and integrated economic zones/ industrial cluster models which service the blue economy sector across the world, through first-hand or secondary data.

• Stakeholder engagement Facilitate consultations with government officials, private sector representatives, local communities, and relevant stakeholders to understand perspectives on regional value chain development challenges, and on transboundary zones as a model. Formulate recommendations for fostering greater collaboration and commitment among member states.

• Policy framework and recommendations Propose policy recommendations addressing identified challenges, with a focus on streamlining investment frameworks, trade policies, improving labor mobility, enhancing infrastructure reliability, and removing regulatory hurdles. Develop strategies to mitigate bureaucratic obstacles and information gaps for investment, especially from the private sector.

The blue economy, related to oceans, seas, lakes, rivers, wetlands, and all other aquatic resources, is considered as Africa’s “New frontier for renaissance” and can offer many benefits to the people and the planet. Humanity is at a turning point on the alert for climate change, the degradation of nature and biodiversity. Conservation and sustainable utilization of oceans, seas, and marine resources for resilient development (SDG 14) is vital. In this context, the Great Blue Wall Initiative (GBW) was launched in October 2021 to accelerate the blue economy in Africa, with ambitious targets including to increase marine protected areas from 8% in 2021 to 30% by 2030, conserve and restore 2 million hectares of blue ecosystems, sequester 100 million tons of CO2, create 1 million blue jobs by 2030, and develop livelihood opportunities for 70 million people. Eastern Africa is home to numerous species (terrestrial and marine), which account for a significant biological diversity that needs to be promoted and protected to ensure sustainable development.

Regional integration and value chain development in the context of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) implementation has the potential to bring paradigm shifts to the region’s blue economy growth, enhance climate resilience, reduce environmental and social fragility, and contribute to the achievement of AUC Africa Blue Economy Strategy, the 2030 Agenda and Agenda 2063. However, regional economic integration in Eastern Africa faces multifaceted challenges. Trade policies, the free movement of labor, and the reliability of infrastructure, including transport and telecommunications, pose significant obstacles. High transport costs within the Eastern Africa region hinder seamless business operations . Bureaucratic burdens in securing licenses and permits, coupled with information gaps for investment, particularly from the private sector, add further complexities.

Political considerations, and the lack of assurance of long-term commitment of host governments also impede progress. Meanwhile, effective regional cooperation demands compensation mechanisms for potential losers and self-enforcing agreements for compliance, offering potential pathways to overcome these challenges in further advancing regional integration and the implementation of AfCFTA . The fish trade in Eastern Africa is a crucial component of regional economic activity and is intricately linked to the challenges and enablers of regional economic integration and social resilience. It is imperative to regulate IUU fishing, address post-harvest losses, restructure the supply chain, formalise transit points while ensuring inclusivity, and ensure sufficient investment in production, transformation, transporation and storage logistics.

It’s also critical to support market development and diversification to optimize the fish trade value chain and enhance the region’s capacity to support the demand for fish in the region and competitiveness in the global market . Additionally, adherence to international agreements (both bilateral and multilateral) and regulations of regional fisheries bodies is essential for a harmonized and efficient cross-border fish trade. Meanwhile, though women are the main agents in the fish trading sector, their structural integration in the value chain needs improvement. By addressing these specifics within the broader context of regional integration, the fish trade can contribute significantly to the blue economy development and cooperation goals of the East African region .

This project will draw on ECA’s on-going work on promoting the Blue Economy Valuation Toolkit (BEVTK), data consolidation to support the implementation of the AfCFTA, sustainable investments and development, as well as cooperation with partners on developing national AfCFTA implementation strategies with a focus on greening value chains.

The project will conduct megatrends analyses on transboundary and integrated economic zones development, as well as opportunities that the AfCFTA presents in the region, particularly for the fish trade value chain development, to accelerate the path towards unlocking the potential of blue qualitative socio-economic development in the east coast of Africa.

The consultant will work under the supervision of the chief of the Green and Blue Economy Section, in close collaboration with the ECA team from the Subregional Office for Eastern Africa and the Regional Integration and Trade Division, and under the overall guidance of the director of TCND.

The consultant will also work closely with other consultants responsible for conducting complementary studies, as well as member states, experts from other UN agencies, and development partners. By the end of the assignment, the consultant will deliver two studies and present the findings and recommendations during the capacity building workshop to relevant stakeholders.

– Desk review of regional integrated economic zones and fish trade practices.

– Data collection through main stakeholders through field trips, consultations, interviews (including hybrid options).

– One analytical report on transboundary and integrated economic zones development in the East African region.

– One analytical report on the AfCFTA and fish trade value chain development in the East African region.

– Presentation of key findings and recommendations to stakeholders during the capacity building workshop.

THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CHARGE A FEE AT ANY STAGE OF THE RECRUITMENT PROCESS (APPLICATION, INTERVIEW MEETING, PROCESSING, OR TRAINING). THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CONCERN ITSELF WITH INFORMATION ON APPLICANTS’ BANK ACCOUNTS.